Before clicking on a link purporting to show pictures or video of a dead Osama bin Laden, you might want check the source, said federal authorities today.
The FBI today issued a warning stating hackers and spammers have embedded malicious software, or "malware," in bogus pages that can unleash computer-damaging viruses.
At least one version of the malware spreads to users' contact lists, infecting the systems of business associates, friends and family.
"These viruses are often programmed to steal your personally identifiable information," the FBI said.
The FBI suggests some basic precautions:
Don't open unsolicited e-mail.
Have up-to-date fire wall and antivirus software running on your computer.
Adjust the privacy settings on social networking sites to make it more difficult for people you don't know to post content on your pages.
Don't agree to download software to view videos.
Report any e-mail you receive that purports to be from the FBI, they never send unsolicited e-mail.
Report viruses and scams to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.
- Sam Wood
Follow the Inquirer at www.Twitter.com/PhillyInquirer and www.Facebook.com/PhillyInquirer
